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www.gyaniversity.com225MMPC001: Management Functions and Organisational ProcessesBriefly discuss techniques used in different steps involved in decision-making. Describe how to overcome barriers to effective decision-making, citing examples.Exam Prediction: 54%Source: Internal IGNOU & Study Centre PapersThe decision-making process involves several steps, each requiring specific techniques to ensure that the final choice is the most appropriate and effective. The process generally begins with problem definition, moves through generating and evaluating alternatives, and ends with implementing the decision and evaluating the results. Alongside these steps, managers must be aware of common barriers to effective decision-making and adopt strategies to overcome them.First, the process starts with a clear definition of the problem. This step is crucial because a welldefined problem helps in identifying relevant alternatives and avoids wasting time on the wrong issues. Techniques used here include clearly articulating the symptoms versus the real issues. For example, if sales are declining, the problem might not be just about falling numbers but could involve changing customer preferences or market dynamics. A precise problem definition sets the stage for the next steps.Following the identification of the problem, clear criteria should be developed to evaluate any potential alternatives. Before generating ideas, managers need to list what factors are importantsuch as cost, feasibility, potential impact, and alignment with organizational goals. This criteria development helps in maintaining fairness and consistency during evaluation. Once criteria are in place, the generation of alternatives becomes the focus. Various techniques are used in this phase:Brainstorming is a popular method that encourages free and open idea generation. In a brainstorming session, individuals suggest a wide range of possible solutions without immediate judgment, allowing creative and innovative ideas to surface.Synectics involves drawing creative analogies and metaphors to generate unique approaches, pushing individuals to think outside conventional frameworks.The Nominal Group Technique is another method where team members initially work in silence to produce ideas, which are then discussed and ranked collectively. This technique helps reduce the influence of dominant personalities and ensures that every team member%u2019s input is valued.After multiple alternatives have been generated, the evaluation stage begins. Here, all the ideas are measured against the previously developed criteria. This might involve systematic analysis, such as using operations research techniques like statistical